LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
Kappa Men Pay it Forward
The Bryson-Ivery Scholarship Fund supports education and legacy at Alabama State University
By Collis Ivery III
W hen seventeen Alabama State University (ASU) students hit the stage this spring, each grabbing a $2,000 scholarship, it wasn’t just a flex, it was legacy in motion. They weren’t walking away with just money; they were stepping into a tradition built by Kappa men who turned excellence into expectation. The Bryson-Ivery Academic Scholarship Fund, established by a group of “Good Brothers” of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., honors two of the University’s most distinguished and longtime educators, Dr. Ralph J. Bryson (Beta Eta 1946, Chapter Invisible 2022 ) and John J. Ivery, Sr. (Beta Zeta 1957, Chapter Invisible 2025) Together, these academic giants dedicated more than 110 years of combined service to the Hornet nation, shaping generations of schol- ars, educators, and leaders. A KAPPA-LED COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION Founded in 2023, the Bryson-Ivery Academic Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit initiative born of Kappa men’s enduring commitment to achievement through education. Led by President of the scholarship Robert Banks (Beta Zeta 1983), Vice President Darryl Washington (Mont- gomery (AL) AL 1996), Secretary
Bryson-Ivery Academic Scholarships provide annual scholarships in the memory of noted ASU Professors Dr. Ralph J. Bryson and John J. Ivery, Sr.
“FOUNDED IN 2023, THE BRYSON-IVERY ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS A NONPROFIT INITIATIVE BORN OF KAPPA MEN’S ENDURING COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH EDUCATION. ”
Joey A. Merritt, Sr. (Beta Zeta 1990), and Treasurer Eddie R. Todd (Beta Zeta 1989), the Fund awards annual scholarships to both ASU undergrad- uates and college-bound high-school seniors who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and a desire to pursue higher education at Alabama State University.
“Recipients, you are deserving of receiving this scholarship award today,” said Brother Banks, himself an ASU alumnus. “These scholarships are purely academic and can be renew- able. Most of this year’s recipients are high school seniors, with about seven undergraduates.” The 2025 awards totaled $34,000,
80 THE JOURNAL ♦ FALL 2025
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